The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-20

The crisis in German affairs is a matter of
international concern and speculation. The
emperor Of Germany was born March %. 1871,
and is consequently over 80 years of age. The
crown prince, Friedrich Wilhelm, is &c years
Of age, and if the German doctors are to be
believed, he win not live to be 81.
This is the pathetic part Of the history.
The old emperor has been great soldier, a
king, and an emperor. 1t cannot be expected
that he viii live much longer, and when he
dies the German people will mourn the loss of
common father. But it is intimately more
sad TO consider the approaching death OF the
unfortunate crown prince. lie possesses TO an
unusual degree the love of hisi people, he has
proven himself worthy of that love, and of his
high position, and is just now at that age when
men are most fitted to assume the cares and
responsibilities that would be encumbent upon
him as his fathers successor.
The crown prince has six children, the eldest
being Friedrich Wilhelm, born January 9th,
1859. In the eyent--not at all improbable, Of
the early death of the emperor and of the
crown prince-the probabilities are that this
young man of not quite % years of age would
become emperor 1t can hardly be said that
he enjoys, or merits, the great popularity of
his father and grandfather. He is simply a
young man, having no decided qualities either
good on bad, and disposed to be as retiring as
his position will allow him to be.
Germans in general, too, are proud of the
towering form and commanding presence that
have characterized the Hohenzollens for sew
eral generations, and which both the emperor
and the crown prince are fortunate in possess
ing. The oldest son of the crown prince, how
over, is described as being of only medium
height, and slightly stoop-shouldered.
France lived after Napoleon left it, but she
changed her government and assumed her
new name in baptism of blood. So it is rea-
sonably certain that Germany will survive the
death Of Bismarck. 1t is equally certain that
if Bismarck were to die before the question of
succession is settled, the succession will be in
imminent danger OF being neitherpeaceful nor
popular.
Russia is watching Germany closely, and
with no good intent. France has been from
time immemorial the mortal enemy of Ger
many, and is feverishly anxious to follow a
second Napoleon to glory and revenge.
But Germanys greatest danger is not from
her outside foes.
1t will be remembered that Germany is
merely a confederation-"a eternal union for
the protection of the realm and the care of the
welfare of the German people" To quote
from the constitution of 1871. "The kaiser rep
resents the empire internationally
Each of these confederate states is more or
less free in the management of its own affairs,
and each of these petty kings is more or less
powerful and ambitious.
Next to Prussia, Bavaria is the most power
full of the German states. The king of Rava-
ria is one of the most polite, powerful and
dangerous of these sub-monarchs. He is ut
terly unprincpled, and for years has worked
steadily toward the crown of Germany. 1t is
more than suspected that he was he eaetttst II
his brothers death, by which he became king
of Bavaria. Nor Is Otto of Bavaria alone in
the race German Poland wants freedom.
Schleswig-Holstein is i'll sympathy and tradi-
tionat least still part of Denmark. as Alsace-
Lorraine is French.
Now if, by any means. Germany should be-
como divided, the fall of the empire, OF at least
its rapid decay from the high position it now
holds, is almost certain.
The word crisis expresses tho situation
exactly,